Hiles Says Architecture Trends Reaching Outside Home

Architectural trends are reaching outside the home, as residents crave designs that boast both low maintenance and high style. Marcus Hiles notes that the demand for open-air spaces that are sustainable and reduce costs is on the rise,and eco-friendly, conservation-minded choices such as rainwater and graywater harvesting along with permeable pavement are leading the charge. Rainwater harvesting redirects moisture from the air for storage in a well via a rooftop collection system, then the water is treated and repurposed on-site. A graywater system takes previously used domestic wastewater and recycles it for rest rooms and non-drinking purposes, cutting the demand for fresh water and lowering the amount of sterilization needed. Permeable pavement is another seemingly novel idea for environmentally minded construction, and the process actually originated thousands of years ago when people first made roads by putting stones in beds over the ground. The system allows rain to pass through small openings between four layers of filtration (paving material, gravel, fabric, and sand) and then be absorbed by the earth below. This lowers runoff and pollution, controls the flow of storm water to gutters and drains, replenishes local groundwater supplies and makes for a skid resistant surface for walkways, patios and driveways. Many attractive patterns incorporate features like crushed stone, brick, and recycled concrete.